A Camera That Captures the Universal

The camera Mayu Tsuruta used for this project was the GXR, a model she already owned. She immediately purchased the GR when its digital version was released and has since used both the GR and GXR for her photography.

“When I take photos, I don’t really aim for a specific subject. It’s more like I press the shutter the moment my heart reacts to something. I think it’s because I’m reacting to things that are universal. When you gather them, perhaps a certain message emerges. But I can’t explain it in words myself, so I believe how each person perceives it will vary.”

For this series, she decided to add an editorial touch by alternating images of Tokyo’s cityscape with the natural landscapes of the countryside. She felt this arrangement might convey a message to the viewer.

“I shot the Tokyo scenes anew for this project. I envisioned Tokyo Tower, the mother tree, and the Ferris wheel as flowers, and Odaiba as an oasis filled with virtual elements. It felt like discovering an artificial nature within Tokyo. Despite the crowds, I think I managed to capture that distinct, almost solitary loneliness of Tokyo.”

The natural scenes from the countryside were images she had accumulated over time with the GXR. She selected photos taken during location shoots or private trips that shared a compositional similarity or connection with the Tokyo landscapes, and paired them together. The result, as you can see, is an interesting interplay between artificial and organic nature.



Although Tsuruta now presents her photographs in many media outlets, she has always enjoyed taking pictures.

“I was taking photos even when I was a student, during outings with friends. I’ve even made photo albums for friends’ weddings. But it’s only been in the last decade or so that I’ve started to use photography for expression, rather than just documentation. Perhaps it began when I started traveling more frequently.”

About ten years ago, her travels became more frequent, often for documentary programs. It was around this time that she encountered the GR.

“It was compact and took beautiful pictures, and it was convenient to carry, fitting in a pocket or hanging from my body without being a burden. Later, when the GXR was released with its zoom capability, it felt even more versatile.”

The timing of when she began to view photography as a form of expression coincided with when she started using the GR, a serendipitous occurrence.

“I simply wanted to express things that resonated with me or conveyed a message through my photographs. That hasn’t changed. I believe the GXR, like the GR, is a camera that truly responds to that desire.”

• RICOH | Creators Capture Their Angles with RICOH Digital